Complete Maine city forced to shut after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

The only clerk in a small Maine town resigned after the board of selectmen denied her trip request.

Christen Bouchard was the town clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week trip a couple of month and a half ago. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was obtainable to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The town has had no one to register autos, preserve crucial information, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of city clerk isn’t the one vital opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 individuals additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a faculty administration official, in line with The Bangor Day by day News.

The city office shut all the way down to in-person visitors until additional discover, in keeping with a statement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer can be in a few days per week to just accept payments on issues equivalent to taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please name the workplace before heading out to do any enterprise here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the workplace to collect tax funds. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

It’s unclear when the city will be able to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, town residents rejected a price range article meant to fund town operations after city officials didn't adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage increase. The budget article additionally did not embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity under Maine legislation.

Town officials said that they're discovering it difficult to fill the open posts because of monetary uncertainties. It is usually due to the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — although she stated she typically worked more — and was paid simply $13,500 per yr.

“We now have been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we can to get our city back so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie said.

“I do imagine in time with the staff we have now, we'll get Passadumkeag again in order and looking good, but it should take a bit and is going to be a challenge for certain.”

In the meanwhile, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to perform fundamental governmental obligations. It includes getting registering their automobiles in the nearby municipality of Howland.